New heated tobacco products like "IQOS" might only be subject to reduced taxes. Millions of francs would therefore escape the AVS.
“NOT POSSIBLE TO TAX THESE PRODUCTS LIKE OTHERS! "
The tobacco giants have widely praised their new product, the cigarette that heats up but does not burn. It is also a good source for companies, since it is less taxed than old products. On sale, however, the novelty is not charged less. " It is not possible to tax this product like other cigarettes " Explain David Marquis, spokesperson for the Federal Customs Administration, because it is considered pipe tobacco.
The specialist in health issues at the PDC, Ruth Humbel, contests this situation, and asks that these new cigarettes be taxed in the same way. The Federal Council should look into the matter soon. "Since the end price is the same as for normal packages, more profit ends up in the pockets of tobacco companies, she explains. These funds escape the funds of the Confederation, more precisely the prevention against tobacco, AVS and AI.»
Ruth Humbel suggests that tobacco that does not burn also has addictive potential, although it has sometimes been praised as a less risky alternative to conventional smoking. "JThe Confederation should start thinking a little bit earlier about how to handle these new products.. "
For British American Tobacco, which markets one of these products, the huge investment in its development justifies lower taxes. This amounts to about 1,5 billion francs, an amount comparable to that invested by Philipp Morris.
On the SVP side, national councilor Sebastian Frehner believes that the new taxes should be kept as they are, to avoid adding obstacles for people who want to move away from traditional cigarettes.
